*Post Oscar Update 2-27-17*
*I was partially correct, 14 nominations and six wins isn't too shabby, and even after the Best Picture snafu, "La La Land" came out in the wash clean as hell.*
Hollywood award season is upon us with the Golden Globes set for this coming Sunday, January 8th, 2017. After the snafu that was #OscarsSoWhite and the conclusion of the drama about Leonardo DiCaprio receiving his first Oscar, we might have an Oscar telecast with a little more diversity, but we'll see how that goes.
While 2016 provided us some great films with minorities in the lead role such as "Moonlight" and "Lion" and female-driven fare like "Edge of Seventeen" and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," there is one film heads and tails above the rest, and it will be heavily rewarded this award season, and that film is "La La Land."
This is not me saying that "Land" is bad; it's not; its utterly fantastic, I nearly wept during the opening dance number it was so beautiful, (hopefully Another Day of Sun is up for Best Song at the Oscars). However, if history has anything to do with anything, the deck is stacked in favor of "Land," and here are some of the reasons:
1) Hollywood loves to pat itself on the back. "Land" for the most part is a throwback to old Hollywood. It's dancing set-pieces will leave you in awe, the music is infectious, (as I listen to the soundtrack of course) and it's a classic story of following your dreams, despite the hardships and trials and tribulations. This is the classic Hollywood story.
2) Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are pure and utter joy. This is their third, and for my money best, collaboration. They are natural fits for one another and play off each other so well it's a mesmerizing things to watch. Gosling has always had stage presence and after "The Nice Guys" there's no doubt about his comedy chops. Stone has gone from "hmmm, okay, she might be good one day," to "oh man, she's really good." The more I think about it, Stone is more of the revelation where she carries a greater weight in this film and her story hits harder when it comes to actresses in the Hollywood system. She was good in "Birdman" but she's great in "Land."
3) It was a struggle to get this film off the ground. It took Damien Chazelle years to get this film going, and it will be commended when the time for awards comes around. Not to forget to mention the fact that while the film is a classic Hollywood film, making of the film is nearly as classic. It's about as Hollywood as it gets.
4) The soundtrack is wonderful. If "Hamilton" was the hit soundtrack of Broadway in 2016, "Land" is the hit soundtrack of Hollywood in 2016. "Land's" soundtrack is an experience and will be awarded as such.
5) The final point is going to piggyback on my first point. In the past seven years at the Oscars the Academy has awarded films well when it comes to films paying homage to Hollywood; "The Artist" in 2011, "Argo" in 2012 and "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in 2014. While "Birdman" takes more shots at how Hollywood treats actors, nonetheless, it's a film about Hollywood and all press, is good press.
"The Artist" was at least to me a gimmick film. A silent film made in the day and age of loud Hollywood blockbusters. While I'm not a huge fan, I can understand how people can feel nostalgic for a bygone era.
"Argo" was the ultimate way for Hollywood to fellate themselves. No, I am not saying "Argo" is a bad film, in fact I loved it and it was the catalyst for the re-rising of Ben Affleck's Q Rating (even though the writing was on the wall with "Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town," previously). However, the film is about Hollywood people saving the lives of people in a foreign country overtaken by "the bad guys." It's a whimsical tale of how Hollywood saved the day in a story that seems almost too Hollywood to be real...yet, it was.
"Birdman" did it's best to shit all over the way that Hollywood tosses out old actors after they are done using them up, but despite that, it was impossible to ignore the painstaking process of making this film. The acting was great, the direction was great, the message, while I'm sure it miffed Hollywood, had to be commended for what it was; a film that was hard to make and a technical achievement.
"Land" fits the bill as the film to beat. In a year that was full of despair and woefulness, "Land" is the silver lining. It's got comedy, tragedy, dancing, singing, some great acting and it hits on the idea that you can still go to Hollywood and have all of your dreams come true, but it adds that bittersweet touch. It appeals to idealists, dreamers, and pessimists; it appeals to humanity in these unsure times where a dream is still something to hold onto. Thus, "La La Land" will be your big winner come this award season, and for good reason.
*I was partially correct, 14 nominations and six wins isn't too shabby, and even after the Best Picture snafu, "La La Land" came out in the wash clean as hell.*
Hollywood award season is upon us with the Golden Globes set for this coming Sunday, January 8th, 2017. After the snafu that was #OscarsSoWhite and the conclusion of the drama about Leonardo DiCaprio receiving his first Oscar, we might have an Oscar telecast with a little more diversity, but we'll see how that goes.
While 2016 provided us some great films with minorities in the lead role such as "Moonlight" and "Lion" and female-driven fare like "Edge of Seventeen" and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," there is one film heads and tails above the rest, and it will be heavily rewarded this award season, and that film is "La La Land."This is not me saying that "Land" is bad; it's not; its utterly fantastic, I nearly wept during the opening dance number it was so beautiful, (hopefully Another Day of Sun is up for Best Song at the Oscars). However, if history has anything to do with anything, the deck is stacked in favor of "Land," and here are some of the reasons:
1) Hollywood loves to pat itself on the back. "Land" for the most part is a throwback to old Hollywood. It's dancing set-pieces will leave you in awe, the music is infectious, (as I listen to the soundtrack of course) and it's a classic story of following your dreams, despite the hardships and trials and tribulations. This is the classic Hollywood story.
2) Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are pure and utter joy. This is their third, and for my money best, collaboration. They are natural fits for one another and play off each other so well it's a mesmerizing things to watch. Gosling has always had stage presence and after "The Nice Guys" there's no doubt about his comedy chops. Stone has gone from "hmmm, okay, she might be good one day," to "oh man, she's really good." The more I think about it, Stone is more of the revelation where she carries a greater weight in this film and her story hits harder when it comes to actresses in the Hollywood system. She was good in "Birdman" but she's great in "Land."
3) It was a struggle to get this film off the ground. It took Damien Chazelle years to get this film going, and it will be commended when the time for awards comes around. Not to forget to mention the fact that while the film is a classic Hollywood film, making of the film is nearly as classic. It's about as Hollywood as it gets.4) The soundtrack is wonderful. If "Hamilton" was the hit soundtrack of Broadway in 2016, "Land" is the hit soundtrack of Hollywood in 2016. "Land's" soundtrack is an experience and will be awarded as such.
5) The final point is going to piggyback on my first point. In the past seven years at the Oscars the Academy has awarded films well when it comes to films paying homage to Hollywood; "The Artist" in 2011, "Argo" in 2012 and "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) in 2014. While "Birdman" takes more shots at how Hollywood treats actors, nonetheless, it's a film about Hollywood and all press, is good press.
"The Artist" was at least to me a gimmick film. A silent film made in the day and age of loud Hollywood blockbusters. While I'm not a huge fan, I can understand how people can feel nostalgic for a bygone era.
"Argo" was the ultimate way for Hollywood to fellate themselves. No, I am not saying "Argo" is a bad film, in fact I loved it and it was the catalyst for the re-rising of Ben Affleck's Q Rating (even though the writing was on the wall with "Gone Baby Gone" and "The Town," previously). However, the film is about Hollywood people saving the lives of people in a foreign country overtaken by "the bad guys." It's a whimsical tale of how Hollywood saved the day in a story that seems almost too Hollywood to be real...yet, it was.
"Birdman" did it's best to shit all over the way that Hollywood tosses out old actors after they are done using them up, but despite that, it was impossible to ignore the painstaking process of making this film. The acting was great, the direction was great, the message, while I'm sure it miffed Hollywood, had to be commended for what it was; a film that was hard to make and a technical achievement.
"Land" fits the bill as the film to beat. In a year that was full of despair and woefulness, "Land" is the silver lining. It's got comedy, tragedy, dancing, singing, some great acting and it hits on the idea that you can still go to Hollywood and have all of your dreams come true, but it adds that bittersweet touch. It appeals to idealists, dreamers, and pessimists; it appeals to humanity in these unsure times where a dream is still something to hold onto. Thus, "La La Land" will be your big winner come this award season, and for good reason.
